Safe Awake Fire Alarm

Cape Coral Fire Department (CCFD) has gotten some new money, and is putting it towards the hearing impaired community. Awarded at the end of last year (August 18th, 2017), with $188,572 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) they’re pitching in an extra $9,428 to make the total $198,000.

With that money they are going to purchase devices called Sleep Awake. These devices will help hearing impaired individuals know when there’s a fire while they’re asleep. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 5,500 people with hearing loss reside in Cape Coral.

Some individuals take their hearing aids out when they hit the hay so if a fire alarm does go off, they will not be able to hear it. When a fire occurs, the smoke detector will go off and emit beeps and a pulsating light. It is connected to a smaller device, which when placed under the mattress will cause it to shake.

“Everyone deserves to hear the beep,” says Fire Marshal C. Dave Raborn. “Thanks to this grant, we can help protect a portion of our citizens who need special assistance during a fire. We will continue to provide a safe community through prevention.”

Both of those things could be the difference between life and death for an impaired individual.